The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-08-31
uWe had hest start for home at once"


"Ws are g. 'g to mve heavy
shower he said "Will you not come
to the farm with mel 1t is near, and the
others are going there. My mother will
be delighted to receive YOU"
His tones were cold, his manner severe,
Meg thought.
Some impulse of contradiction made
her turn from him.
''Mr. Vigues has kindly offered to take
me home in his buggy" she said.
Then Jack 10 ,ked first at Percy.
"You have Dalton's black horse, he
said. care you aware that the animal
always takes fright ut thuuder2"
Mr.. Percy Vigues began to look un-
mo" he replied. 'N1iss Christian,
would it not be best to-
Hurry Yes," cut in Meg, crisply.
"Tll be ready in moment! There! you
take the lunch basket and we can go at
once"
"But," Jack began, impatiently, IL
tell you it isn't safe to drive that animal
when it thundcrs, and"
A long, loud reverberation broke his
speech.
Meg looked at Percy.
"Come," she said, gaily, ''let US try to
race the shower. Not drop has fallen
yet"
There was nothing for Vigues to do
but accompany her through the gather
ing dusk OF the now darkcncd day; and
when they reached the edge of the grove,
there stood Dalton's black horse, culver
ing in every limb, with dilated nostrils
and rolling eyes.
"Perhaps, muttercd Vigues, uneasily,
shrinking back and turning pale-"per.
haps you had best accept Mr.. Jacks
olrcr, after ALL | wouldn't care to be
the cause of fri ght to you, you know,
and this-this creature looks decidedly
vicious"
''Nonsense!!" Meg laughed. "You will
be able to control him very easily. I'll
get in while yoa unite him"
Muttering a few unpleasant words, he
moved toward the buggy to assist her.
"Pray hurry!' she cried, when he had
put her in. IL am sure it is going to
rain hard soon. Do unite the horse, Mr..
NISuCS.
Percy went to the animals head, an
evident shrinking upon him, and began
to tumble with the halter.
The creature started back sharply, and
so did Mr.. Nigues.
Meg's lip curled.
81 believe you are afraid,' she said,
with low little laugh.
And he tried to echo the laugh, as he
again advanced, but warily, toward the
restive horse.
At last he succeeded in unfastening the
halter from the tree, and ut that very
moment vivid sheet of light went dane
ing over the world about them; loud,
sharp, angry peal of thunder crashed
above their heads. Even Meg covered
an instant, dazed and stunned; but
Percy Vigues, loosing his nervous grasp
of the bit, performed a series of rapid
backward steps.
The horse crouched an instant, trem-
bling violently, then, with snort of ter
ror, plungd madly through the bushes,
both reins flying loosely on his back.
Meg gave utterance to shrek of fear,
and then sat, silent and white faced,
clinging to the back of the. seat.
Mr.. Percy Vigues had no thought save
for his own safety, and made no attempt
TO capture the runaway.
But tall figure darted out in the very
path of the flying black animal, and
pair Of strong hands closed firmly on the
reius.
The horse plunged, reared wildly, but
those firm hands did not lose their hold.
At last, in the sudden fall of great plash-
ing drops, the horse stood, painting but
subdued, and Jack Linton, gathering up
the reius. sprang in beside Meg.
''I'Il take you to the farm" he said,
breathing hard after the struggle. "All
the others are there by this time. You
are not hurt at all2" with keen look at
her pretty, white face.
"No; but Oh, Jack, if you hadn't
come"
"vigues would have let you go-to
death, said Ja:k, calmly. land yet be-
cause he caa quote poetry prettily and
looks like tailors block, you have given
him your heart" very scornfully, although
he was having all he could do to keep the
black horse in the roadway.
81 haven't" cried Meg, Indignantly;
"and if you are going to say such dis
agreeable things, wish you had let the
horse run as far as he wanted to. Percy
Vigues is only daudiied fool, and |
hate him"
You hate me- too, I suppose?" sad
Jack, curtly, as he drew the animal up
and turned in at the farm, which belonged
to himself and his mother.
1t WAS just pouring. The great drops
had become 4 sheet of rain by this time,
and Meg's muslin was soaking wet. She
was little pale, too, but her lips began
to quiver as she stole look at her COM
panion's face.
II don't hate you," she said, softly;
1t you have acted lately as though you
hate me. Why is it, Jac%!'
Because that idiot was always hang.
ing around you, and l knew I wasn't
wanted. All. there they all are, gathered
on the veranda."
And the p:cnicking party were grouped
on the wide veranda of the farm house,
in gay spirits seemingly, watching Meg
and her cavalier drive up through the
rain.
But, Jack, I didn't want him."
whispered Meg, desperately. II have
been very miserable for the last few
weeks"
"Bccaase?"
Jack looked at her with kindling eyes.
She colored holly.
Yes" she said, very low.
Il, Ii, l. l. nj